FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**ANN ARBOR, Mich.** — In a stunning and abrupt development, Michigan Wolverines associate head coach and former Charlotte head coach **Biff Poggi** has submitted his letter of resignation, sources within the athletic department confirmed late Sunday. The resignation, effective immediately, comes just weeks before the start of spring practice and casts a shadow of sudden uncertainty over head coach Sherrone Moore’s new staff.
Athletic Director **Warde Manuel** is expected to address the media in an emergency press conference Monday morning. The timing, on the heels of a national championship and a major head coaching transition, sends a destabilizing ripple through a program prized for its recent stability and cultural cohesion.
**A Brief, Impactful Tenure Ends**
Poggi, 63, was a pivotal and charismatic figure in Ann Arbor. Hired by Jim Harbaugh in 2021 initially as an analyst, he was quickly elevated to associate head coach, serving as a trusted senior advisor and a formidable motivator for players. He was instrumental in building the program’s renowned “Michigan Mentality,” focusing on toughness, unity, and personal development beyond football. His influence was widely credited as a key ingredient in the team’s three consecutive Big Ten titles and the 2023 national championship.
His decision to stay on under Sherrone Moore was seen as a critical bridge between the Harbaugh era and the new regime, providing continuity and gravitas. His sudden departure, before ever coaching a game in Moore’s tenure, raises immediate questions about the internal dynamics of the newly configured staff.
**Reaction from the Program**
In a brief statement released through his representative, Poggi said: “After deep reflection, I have decided to step away from the University of Michigan football program. My time in Ann Arbor has been immensely rewarding, and I am proud of what we built together. I have the utmost respect for Coach Moore, Warde Manuel, and especially the players, who are like sons to me. This is a personal decision for myself and my family at this time. I will always be a Michigan Man.”
Interim Head Coach **Sherrone Moore**, who must now fill a vital leadership void on his staff just as the 2024 campaign begins, is expected to speak at the Monday press conference. A prepared excerpt states: “We thank Biff for his tremendous contributions to Michigan Football. His impact on our players and our culture is lasting. We respect his decision and will now focus our full energy on supporting our team and our staff as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
Players were informed in a late-night team meeting. A defensive veteran, speaking on background, said: “Coach Poggi was like a football father to a lot of us. This hurts. But Coach Moore has us. We trust in him, and we know the standard doesn’t change. We have to lock in even more now.”
**The Why and What’s Next**
While the official reason is personal, sources indicate that Poggi, a former highly successful high school coach and program builder at the collegiate level, may have found the transition to a reduced, advisory-style role under a first-time head coach less fulfilling than his previous influential position under Harbaugh. The desire to pursue another head coaching opportunity or a more hands-on role elsewhere is believed to be a central factor.
The immediate impact is a significant staff disruption. Poggi was not a positional coach but a central cultural pillar. Moore must now decide whether to promote from within, seeking to maintain the “Michigan Mentality” ethos Poggi helped define, or look externally for a new senior voice.
For a program that has sold culture as its bedrock, the loss of one of its chief architects is a profound moment. It presents Sherrone Moore’s first major internal challenge, testing his ability to steady the program and redefine its leadership identity without one of its most recognizable and respected figures. The Wolverines’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive Big Ten title now begins under a cloud of unexpected change.
